Leamington Spa care home veterans celebrated for Armed Forces Day

A care home in Leamington Spa celebrated residents who served in the forces. 

To mark Armed Forces Day, Care UK’s Priors House, on Old Milverton Lane, hosted a special afternoon tea.  

Residents who served in the forces were encouraged to share their experiences and memories. Sharing memories from the Second World War, resident Betty Shortland, aged 95, served three years in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women’s branch of the British Army at the time, and said: “I made many friends and built strong relationships whilst I was serving. Looking back at the photographs brought back so many thoughts and memories and I am grateful to be able to share them with whomever may wish to hear them.”

George Parker, aged 96, also shared his experiences serving in the Second World War and took part in the Italian campaign as part of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry between 1943 and 1945. He recalls learning how to drive Bren Gun Carriers during his training.

Two residents also discussed their time spent in Germany in the 1950s – Daniel Warner, aged 85, from the 1^st Battalion Suffolk Regiment, and Derek Alger, aged 88, who was a member of the Royal Army Core. Due to go to Korea initially, Derek’s boat turned back to take them to Germany in 1951, where he spent two years, the same amount of time as Daniel, who was a part of his regiment’s band as a drummer between 1954 and 1956.

Michael Walton, one of the home’s longest serving veterans, also shared anecdotes from his seven years in the forces, serving in Scotland and stationed across of the UK in the 1950s, first in the Royal Artillery, then in the Territorial Army. 

Francine Summers, Home Manager at Priors House, said: “Many residents at Priors House have served in the forces so we were delighted to give them an opportunity to reminisce and share their experiences at our Armed Forces Day afternoon tea. 

“It was fantastic to hear the residents stories of camaraderie and friendship, and the places they visited, despite the incredibly challenging circumstances they overcame while serving in the forces. Many residents shared photos and medals too, which it was great to see.   

“Celebrations like these are a wonderful way to encourage reminiscence, which can be beneficial for older people, especially those living with dementia. We’d like to say a big thank you to residents for sharing their memories with us.” 

Priors House is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.

To find out more about Priors House, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Maria Cridge, at maria.cridge@careuk.com, or phone 01926 675 217.

To find out more about Priors House, visit careuk.com/priors-house.